Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 2 addressed a rally in Lucknow. In his first rally in Uttar Pradesh after the 50-day demonetisation deadline got over on December 30 , Modi said it was necessary for the state to develop in every sense.

Expressing surprise at the crowd come to hear him, Modi said, ‚ÄúThe central government wants India to march ahead and end various ills. But for this to happen the state has to progress.‚ÄĚ

Recalling the yeoman work done by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said, the senior BJP leader had worked tirelessly for development of Lucknow.

Accusing the state government of neglecting UP’s development, he said the Centre has given Rs 2.5 lakh crore to the UP government in more than two years. But the UP government must have misused the funds is irresponsible, development is not this government’s priority, said Modi .

Referring to the Congress, BSP and SP, he said there are some parties which have no presence in the state (Congress). There is a party which wants to see Rahul Gandhi on the post, while another is worried about where to keep its money. One more party is dedicating its whole energy in the family,

Now it is up to the people to decide whether these parties can save UP, asked Modi.

Stating that law and order was much better during BJP regimes, he said that BJP was the only party, which has come to save UP, he added.

Finally, Modi asked the people to download BHIM app, which he said they launched as a tribute to ‘great economist Bhimrao Ambedkar.